(BJH photo) Sent to me from my buddy Bruce Higdon, a great cartoonists and Army veteran. This is a true story that happened five days ago. I thought I would share a personal Memorial Day experience, rather than an old, repeated internet legend. Today, at Laguardia, while (my wife and son) and I were getting ready to come home, the American Airlines flight crew was going through the regular introductions and announcements. The pilot came on the intercom, as we sat there, and said, “Today is Memorial Day. Would all the veterans raise their hands.” As about 15 of us…

Surgery by the Book You look in your doctor’s eyes, and see confidence. You look in his hands and see … a BOOK? Read this real story sent to us by HM1(FMF/SW) Lance Chennault: I am a Corpsman and I remember this time that we did an appendectomy (removing the appendix) on this Marine in 1992 in the Northern Pacific Ocean during February (we were just south of the Aleutian Chain of Islands off of Alaska), and we did it with Local Anesthetics (meaning we had to shoot each layer of muscle with Lidocaine, which also meant the Marine was…

Here’s a great story sent to me recently – it’s a story of determination by an Army Major to overcome adversity. (DOD) (DOD photo) Not all jobs get the headlines… (DOD photo) And for those who want to get out of household chores… (Origin unknown – sent by email) Ever hear one of those laughs that make you laugh too? This video takes awhile to get real funny, but it’s contagious! Got a goofy news item, funny story or picture? Want to see it in print and share it with others? Send it to me in the comment box, or…

Searching the far corners of the web, so you don’t have to. Quake brings WWII PT boat to the surface. Sailor’s stolen wallet found after 56 years. (Yahoo News/AP) A prisoner’s conviction for mailing a threatening letter to a judge was upheld – the man had said no one had shown any evidence that he had mailed it. The letter was sent in an envelope containing his name, prisoner number and return address. (Yahoo/AP) Note to criminals – you know those rooftop chase scenes you see in the movies, and the guy gets away? Those are MOVIES. (AP) Are you…

And you thought the seats on commercial airlines were cramped…try the baggage compartment. (AFP file photo) This little English boy definitely has a potty mouth. (Reuters) Some actual quotes from an actual ship (sent to us by email): (Two Sailors talking in the passageway the day after Easter sunday) “The only thing the Easter Bunny brought me was DUST BUNNIES….” (Weather guy talking to another weather guy standing outside) “Hey…what’s it like outside? (Guy outside) “It’s raining.” (Guy inside to the office) “Tell the CO it looks like rain today…” Saudi tribes holds camel beauty pageant – really! (Reuters) And…

Cremation is contributing to Global Warming! (AFP) (AFP photo) And in a related story, British crematoriums are being forced to expand the size of their furnaces because the Brits are getting fatter. (AFP) (AFP photo) Please don’t stare at the chimps! (CNN/AP) Committed to giving you any monkey story I can find. (AP photo) From an email I received (first hand report): On a visit to the barber, a Navy vet was surprised to get a beard trim and shoulder rub thrown in for free. “When I asked why she was doing all these extras, she told me, ‘Honey, a…

Things that make you go, “Doh!” German army drafts four-week-old baby. (Reuters) For those who don’t like flying, you’ll be comforted to know that a Pilot’s potty-mouth grounds Northwest flight. (USA Today) Beijing makes dent in bad English translations. (AFP) Be careful out there! Here are some police blotter stories from News of the Weird: Andre Henry was convicted on 27 criminal counts in Philadelphia in February (e.g., bank robbery, threatening witnesses and police officers), despite his cocky attitude on the witness stand. After the prosecution played back a recording of Henry confessing his crimes to a wire-wearing inmate, Henry…

Searching the world for weird news and stories…so you don’t have to. April Fools’ Day is over, but not the stories – here is the list of the Top 10 April Fools’ Day jokes , as judged by the Museum of Hoaxes. (AFP) Honorable Mention: For an April Fools’ Day joke this year, Google announced the release of a new technology offering consumers free high-speed wireless Internet through their home plumbing systems. (AP) Remove your crocs at the security checkpoint. A woman was arrested trying to sneak three crocodiles through border security…strapped to her body. (USA Today/AP) In another sign…

Gary Sinise and Laura Hillenbrand Where does this guy get his energy? Actor Gary Sinise, in addition to acting full time on a popular TV series, is also an active supporter of several veteran organizations, supports and visits troops with the USO, is working to establish a monument to disabled veterans in DC, and recently founded Operation Iraqi Children, an organization that spreads goodwill at the grass root level. Check out his sites – I especially like his “Good News” section on the OIC site. That sinking feeling. For those of you who work in the wastewater world, this is…

In defense of our great military pilots who sometimes suffer from a “prima dona” reputation, check out what this civilian astronaut is demanding(Reuters) I don’t know what’s going on in Europe, but in another shocking example of an unannounced border incursion, Belarus sent its attack rowing team into Ukrainian waters. (Reuters) An 81 year-old man chased down a crook with his bike! Must have done some time in the Marines. (Reuters) (AFP) Finally! The French have released their UFO files. You have got to check out this slideshow from Florida State University. It’ll put a little perspective in your life.…